Electrical connector and clamp



May 24, 1966 c. K. BROWN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND CLAMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 1, 1962 gamma/07 CLARENCE K. BROWN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. K.BROWN J mla CLARENCE K. BROWN 3 Ma $12K flG-ENT Filed Oct. 1,

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United States Patent 3,253,248 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND CLAMP ClarenceK. Brown, 6219 E. 6th St., Long Beach, Calif. Filed Oct. 1, 1962, Ser.No. 227,295 14 Claims. (Cl. 339-99) The present invention relates to animproved electrical connector and clamp, and more particularly to aconnector and clamp particularly adapted to facilitate attachment to aflat conductor cable.

With the advent of fiat conductor cables of a type useful in aircraft,spacecraft and the like, there arose the problem of providing aconnector adapted to be secured to an end of the cable so as to enableconnection of the -cable in circuit with other components. Variouseiforts have been made to provide such a connector, but such effortshave not overcome the persisting problems of providing a low resistanceconnector, for example, having electrical resistance no greater than alength of the cable equal to the length of the connector and having asubstantially sealed construction to minimize corrosion.

Flat conductor cables of the type here involved comprise a plurality ofthin, fiat, ribbon-like conductor strips within a fiat insulatingsheath. Typically, the conductor strips are composed of copper and areas'thin as .002" and are as narrow as .040", being disposed inside-byside relation in the insulating sheath and spaced apart about.040", the insulating material being composed of opposing strips orlamina of flexible plastic, such as polyester material, bonded togetherwith the conductor ribbons confined therebetween and insulated from oneanother by The present invention is primarily addressed to the provisionof means for simply and effectively making contact between therespective ribbon conductors and conductor elements in a connector whichmay be a part of a male-female connector assembly or some otherelectrical In addition, the invention is addressed to the provision of aclamp for securing a flat strip within a connector part.

I ance with the preceding object, which is effectively sealed tominimize corrosion of the contact.

Still another object is to provide a novel clamp for a fiat strip orflat conductor cable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafterdescribed or will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and thenovel features of the invention will be defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a cable clamps made in accordance with theinvention; FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, as taken on the line2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view, as taken on the line 3-3 of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a detail view in perspective of the clamping means of theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, as taken on the line 55 of FIG.3.

Like reference characters in the several views of the drawing designatecorresponding parts.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the flat cable connector of the presentinvention comprises generally a two-part assemblage comprising a firstpart generally denoted at 1 and a complemental second part generallydenoted at 2 suitably interconnected in assembled relation as by meansof a pair of resilient spring arms 3 extended longitudinally alongsidethe respective body parts, these arms being connected by ears 4 to thebody part 2 and having as at 5 an end formed with an opening to receivea projection 6 on the body part 1.

A flat conductor cable generally denoted at C extends into thehousing 1. This conductor comprises a series of ribbon-like conductorstrips 7 encased within an insulating sheath 8 formed of lamina ofsuitable insulating plastic material bonded together in the spaces orgaps 9 between the insulating strips 7. The member 2 carries a number ofcontact members or pins 10 adapted to make electrical contact with theconductor strips 7.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2 it will be noted that the housing1 is open at the right-hand end for reception of the connector part 2and at its left-hand end is provided with an opening 11 through whichthe conductor C extends, the end of the conductor C within the housingbeing engaged by clamping means generally denoted at 12 and the cablebeing sealed within the opening 11 by means of a sealing cup generallydenoted at 13.

The connector part 2 comprises a portion 14 adapted to be received inthe open end of the housing 1 and to sealingly engage at 15 with the endof the sealing cup means 13 upon insertion of the portion 14 into thehousing and engagement of the confronting end of the portion- 14 withthe cup. Contact elements or pins 10 are preferably molded in theconnector part 2 and are provided with a central enlargement 16 toprevent longitudinal movement of the pins. The inner end of each of thecontact pins is formed with a relatively resilient tapered end 17provided with a relatively sharp point 18 while the outer end of thepins 10 are suitably formed for engagement with a complemental connectorelement (not shown) or indeed the body part 2 and the pins 10 may makeother forms as may be necessary to enable utilization of the presentinvention with electrical components of various types as will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Within the portion 14 of themember 2 and in surrounding engagement with the inner end of the pins 10is a resilient sealing member 19 comprising a disc-like body portion 20and an elongate extension 21 extending along the inner end-s 17 of thepins.

It will be noted from reference to FIG. 4 that the clamping means 12constitutes a subassernbly removable from the housing 1. The assembly 12comprises an elongate wedge-like element 22 having at its larger end aprojection 23 or partly circular cross section adapted to haveresiliently disposed thereon a clamp element 24 of generally C shape incross section. For the purpose of clamping the end of the cable C, itwill be noted that a length of the latter may be passed through anopening 11 in the sealing cup means 13 and the extremity of the cable isthen passed around the Wedge element 22 and around the projection 23whereupon the clamp element 24 is placed over the projection so as toclamp thereagainst the end of the cable C. Thereafter the clamping means12 with the cable securely clamped thereby may be snugly seated withinthe sealing cup means 13 as shown in FIG. 4.

Means are provided on the clamping means and within the housing 1 forsupporting the clamping means and accordingly the cable C in positionwithin the housing. Such means may be characterized as pin and slotmeans but more particularly as best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the pinand slot means comprises rail-like projections 25 extending along theopposite sides of the clamp wedge 22 and adapted to slidably engage inlongitudinally extended slots in the portion 14 of connector part 2,upon assembly of the connector part 2 within the housing 1. In addition,the clamping means is provided with outwardly extended pins 27 whichslidably engage in slots 28 within the housing 1 to limit inwardmovement of the clamping means. The sealing cup means 13 generallyconforms to the clamping means and the pin elements 25 and 27 thereofand the pins 27 extend through openings 29 in the side walls of thesealing cup means 13 for engagement within the just referred to slots28, while the projections 25 project endwise from the sealing cup means.

It will now be observed that the wedge element 22 provides an angularlydisposed surface 2-2 upon which a portion of the cable C is disposed soas to confront the inner extremities of the pins 1% when the connectorpart 2 is moved inwardly into the housing 1 from the position shown inbroken lines in FIG. 2 to the full line position. Such inward movementof the connector part 2 will bring the flexible ends 17 of the pins intoengagement with the insulating sheath of the conductor cable and therelatively flexible yet sharp points 18 of the pins will penetrate theplastic insulating material but due to the relatively slight inclinationof the cable C along the sur face 22', the flexible resilient points ofthe pins 10 will be deflected by the conductor ribbons 7 into theposition as shown in FIG. 2 whereat the extension 21 of the sealingmeans 19 serves to assist in resiliently urging the pin points 17 intobearing engagement with the conductor ribbons 7. It will be appreciatedthat in order to avail of the preferred pin contact with the conductorstrips, that is, without penetrating the strips, the end of the pinsshould be sufliciently flexible as to be easily deflected by theconductor strip due to the angle of attack of the pin point relative tothe conductor strip. However, should it occur that one or more pinpoints should actually penetrate the conductor strip, the points 17 ofthe pin will nevertheless be resiliently urged into contact with thestrip so as to resist extrusion of the insulating sheath between thestrip and the contact element. Furthermore, it will be noted that byvirtue of the sealing cup means d3 which sealingyly contacts the cable Cwithin the opening 11 and also sealingly contacts the housing 1 withinthe opening, and in view of the sealing contact between the confrontingportions of the sealing cup means and the connector member 2 and thesealing engagement be tween the sealing member 19 and the pins 110 andthe connector member 2, there is effectively provided a sealed connectorthereby minimizing oxidation of the electrical contacts. In addition,inasmuch as the pin and slot means previously described stabilize theclamping means within the housing 1, the connector will withstandsubstantial tension loads applied to the cable C without disturbing thequality of the electrical contact.

From the foregoing, it will now be apparent that the present inventionprovides a clamping means of novel construction combined with contactelements whereby a superior electrical contact is made between the pins10 and the conductor strips 7 within the cable C in a very simple anddurable manner.

While the details of the invention have been herein shown and described,changes and alterations may be resorted to without departing from thespirit of the in vention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A connector for a conductor cable having at least one conductorribbon encased in an insulating sheath, comprising a hollow connectorhousing having an open end for the passage of said cable therethrough,cable clamping means in said housing providing an elongated supportingsurface for a section of said cable, a connector part complemental tosaid housing and having at least one contact element projectingtherefrom, each contact element having a flexible point, confronted bysaid supporting surface upon assembly of said connector part with saidhousing, said supporting surface being disposed at a wide angle relativeto said flexible point, and means for securing said connector part insaid housing with said flexible point piercing said sheath and deflectedalong said conductor ribbon.

2. A connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamping meanscomprises a pair of cooperative clamping elements, and means removablylocating said elements in said housing with said supporting surfaceconfronting said point to prevent movement of said surface away fromsaid point when said connector part is secured in said housing.

3. A connector as defined in claim 2, wherein said means removablylocating said elements-in said housing comprises cooperative groove andprojection means on one of said elements and in said housing.

4. A connector as defined in claim 1, including a sealing cup having aslotted end projection sealingly engageable in the open end of saidhousing, said connector part having a portion confronted by a portion ofsaid cup for sealing said housing.

5. A connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector part isprovided with an opening into which said contact element projects, andincluding sealing means in said opening in said part sealingly engagingsaid contact element, and sealing means for sealing said end opening insaid housing and sealingly engageable with said connector part aboutsaid opening.

6. A flat cable connector comprising an open housing having a chambertherein and an opening leading through a wall of said housing into saidchamber, a flat conductor cable extending into said chamber through saidopening, said cable having an insulating sheath and at least oneconductor cable clamping means removably disposed in said chamber andengaged with said cable, said clamping means having an elongatedangularly disposed surface along which a portion of said cable extends,said surface being on a slight incline opposing said opening, aconnector member having a contact pin provided with a flexible endconfronted by said portion of said cable upon insertion of said memberinto said housing through said opening, and means releasably securingsaid housing 7 and said member in assembled relation with said flexibleend of said contact element piercing said insulation and in contact withsaid conductor.

7. A connector as defined in claim 6, wherein said cable clamping meanscomprises an elongated member provided with said angularly disposedsurface, said elongated member having an end projection, and a resilientclamp disposed on said projection and clamping a portion of said cabletherebetween.

8. A connector as defined in claim 6, wherein said housing and saidclamping means have slidably engaged means removably locating saidclamping means in said housing.

9. A connector as defined in claim 6, including a sealing cup having anend provided with a slot through which said cable extends, said cup endbeing sealingly engaged in said opening in said housing, and saidconnector member and said cup having coengaged sealing portions.

10. A connector as defined in claim 6, including a sealing cup having anend provided with a slot through which said cable extends, said cup endbeing sealingly engaged in said opening in said housing, and saidconnector member and said cup having coengaged sealing port-ions, saidclamping means having a projection and said housing having a slotreceiving said projection to locate said clamping means, and saidprojection extending through said sealing cup into said slot.

11. A connector as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamping means isprovided with a projection and said housing is provided with a slot forreceiving said projection, said slot having an end wall engageable bysaid projection to limit movement of said clamping means in onedirection, and said connector member engaging said projection tomaintain the latter against said end wall.

12. A connector as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamping means isprovided with a projection and said housing is provided with a slot forreceiving said projection, said slot having an end Wall engageable bysaid projection to limit movement of said clamping means in onedirection, and said connector member having a slot in which saidprojection is also disposed to locate said clamping means relative tosaid connector member.

13. A connector comprising: a flat conductor cable having a plurality offiat conductor ribbons spaced transversely and encased in an insulatingsheath, first and second connector parts, one of said connector partshaving means for securing thereto a longitudinally extended portion ofsaid cable, the other of said connector parts having a number of contactpins each having a point, means supporting said pins in said otherconnector part in transversely spaced relation corresponding to thetransverse spacing of at least certain of said conductor ribbons, meansfor interconnecting said connector parts together with saidlongitudinally extended portion of said cable and said pin disposed atan angle relative to one another so that said points penetrate saidsheath and are deflected by said certain conductor ribbons, said pointsbeing in contact with said certain ribbons along an elongated section ofone side of the respective points.

14. A connector as defined in claim 13, including means for resilientlyholding said side of the respective points and said certain ribbons incontact.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,476,227 7/1949Sellers 339- 2,804,601 8/1957 Harthman et al. 339 X 2,873,435 2/1959Hubbell 33997 2,878,373 3/1959 Bramming 33994 3,090,028 5/1963 Hall etal 339-107 X FOREIGN PATENTS 550,776 5/1932' Germany. 700,490 12/ 1953Great Britain.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

W. D. MILLER, Assistant Examiner.

1. A CONNECTOR FOR A CONDUCTOR CABLE HAVING AT LEAST ONE CONDUCTORRIBBON ENCASED IN AN INSULATING SHEATH, COMPRISING A HOLLOW CONNECTORHOUSING HAVING AN OPEN END FOR THE PASSAGE OF SAID CABLE THERETHROUGH,CABLE CLAMPING MEANS IN SAID HOUSING PROVIDING AN ELONGATED SUPPORTINGSURFACE FOR A SECTION OF SAID CABLE, A CONNECTOR PART COMPLEMENTAL TOSAID HOUSING AND HAVING AT LEAST ONE CONTACT ELEMENT PROJECTINGTHEREFROM, EACH CONTACT ELEMENT HAVING A FLEXIBLE POINT, CONFRONTED BYSAID SUPPORTING SURFACE UPON ASSEMBLY OF SAID CONNECTOR PART WITH SAIDHOUSING, SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE BEING DISPOSED AT A WIDE ANGLE RELATIVETO SAID FLEXIBLE POINT, AND MEANS FOR SECURING SAID CONNECTOR PART INSAID HOUSING WITH SAID FLEXIBLE POINT PIERCING SAID SHEATH AND DEFLECTEDALONG SAID CONDUCTOR RIBBON.